. ♪ >> pope benedict is stepping down, and the roman catholic church needs a new spiritual leader. could it be you? announcing mountain dew's pope n win contest. check specially marked mountain dew bottles. >> hey, mom, i won! >> plus other great prizes like a pool table and movie tickets. visit mountaindew.com for complete rules. >> good morning, it's thursday, february 21st. welcome to "morning joe." >> it's a big day. >> it is a big day. a live look at times square. inside the studio here, we have msnbc contributor mike barnicle. >> yes? >> are you completely buttoned? okay. whatever. >> have you buttoned everything up? >> i think so. >> it didn't look like it for a second there. msnbc political analyst and visiting professor at nyu and former democratic congressman, harold ford jr. >> we love harold. >> and he's all buttoned up. >> it's the day. >> i know, i'm getting there. i'm getting there. it's the buildup. we also have with us democratic political strategist -- >> oh! >> -- james carville. >> look at this! >> what is this? >> more than that. >> strategist. >> he's the co-a